Sprint to Shut Down Some U.S. Cellular Service in October

Sprint today reminded U.S. Cellular customers located in the St. Louis metropolitan area that it will shut down existing U.S. Cellular service on October 31. Sprint acquired some spectrum and assets from U.S. Cellular earlier this year. The shutdown will affect the customers, leaving them without service. Sprint is urging those who've not already switched to Sprint's devices and services to do so as soon as possible. Sprint says U.S. Cellular customers can port their existing number to Sprint, but they have to buy new devices, as their old ones are not compatible with Sprint's network. Sprint began notifying the customers in June, and is offering them incentives to update their device and service to either Sprint or Boost Mobile. Sprint intends to use the former U.S. Cellular spectrum in the St. Louis region to supplement its own network.